Bhubaneswar: An ODRAF team boat Friday overturned at Mundali barrage in Cuttack district while trying to rescue an elephant that was stranded in floodwater.
According to sources, once the boat capsized owing to strong water current, a few members of the crew, as well as two media workers, were swept away. They were attempting to save an elephant that became stuck near Mundali Bridge.
The elephant was one of seven in a herd that was washed away by strong currents while crossing the Mahanadi river near Mundali this morning.
It became stranded near Mundali bridge, while the remaining six elephants made it to Nuasasan in Cuttack’s Athgarh block.
Three ODRAF members were rescued and brought to SCB Medical College & Hospital until the report was filed. Following then, some country boats joined the rescue effort, and one journalist was rescued in a critical condition.
A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) crew also arrived on the scene and began a rescue mission. Police are also present at the spot to control the crowd.
